Rapid Loss of Terrestrial Ecosystem Multifunctionality in China on a Century Scale

Abstract Ecosystem multifunctionality (EMF) is a crucial factor in protecting biodiversity and regulating climate dynamics. However, the global and regional dynamics of EMF are currently limited to field experiments, resulting in an incomplete understanding of the spatial patterns and driving mechanisms of EMF. We focused on biogeochemical cycles to quantify the spatiotemporal dynamics of EMF in China and determine the impact of environmental factors on EMF. Our findings indicate that climate and topography are the primary drivers of EMF. More importantly, over 66% of the study area is expected to experience a decline in EMF by the end of the twenty‐first century across various future climate scenarios. Under high‐emission scenarios in particular, EMF could be on an unsustainable trajectory, putting increased pressure on terrestrial ecosystems and exacerbating their degradation. These results highlight that more robust policies need to be designed to mitigate ecosystem degradation triggered by climate change.